Gangseo Korean restaurant tofu set meal: Maetdolroman

Now that I’m in my thirties, I find myself looking for Korean restaurants where I can have a hearty, generous meal. This time, I visited Maetdolroman Deungchon Branch (맷돌로만 등촌점), between Balsan Station and Yangcheon Hyanggyo, and tried the Maetdolroman set meal! It was just right for someone like me who loves tofu dishes, since there were so many different tofu-based options to try, and I was happy with how generous the set was 😊 It felt like sitting down to a carefully prepared Korean table, so I wanted to introduce it as a great place for a meal near Yangcheon Hyanggyo :)

It’s located at 166 Gangseo-ro 56ga-gil, Building 203, Units 113, 114, and 115, Gangseo-gu, Seoul.

Millstones in the restaurant and breakfast service

The first thing that caught my eye when I walked in was a huge millstone. . ! 🫢 True to the name Maetdolroman, meaning “only millstones,” there were millstones throughout the restaurant. One side was also covered in celebrity signatures, giving it the feel of a long-established favorite. The brand has received an excellence award from the Korea Consumer Industry Evaluation, which made it feel even more trustworthy, and breakfast is available too—great for anyone nearby who wants a filling meal first thing in the morning.

A cozy, welcoming atmosphere

The interior had an overall cozy, homey feel. This kind of comfortable, warm atmosphere unique to Korean restaurants actually made the meal feel even more relaxing, you know?~ It looked perfectly fine for dining alone, and it also had a great atmosphere for a generous meal with family or friends.

What tofu dishes are on the menu?

There was a wide variety of tofu-based food on the menu. From stews with tofu to tofu muchim (seasoned tofu), there were plenty of options, as well as the Maetdolroman set meal for sampling several tofu dishes at once. Rather than having just one dish, we were drawn to a set where we could enjoy different side dishes and tofu dishes together, so we ordered the Maetdolroman set meal right away.

Unlimited soft tofu self-service bar

You can scoop out fresh sundubu (soft tofu) yourself, and it’s unlimited, so you can take as much as you want. Being able to scoop up warm, silky soft tofu right away was a lovely way to whet my appetite before the meal. I also heard that you can buy soft tofu to take home after you finish eating.

Soft tofu that was truly silky and delicious

It went down so smoothly that it was mild and easy to enjoy. It had that distinctive nutty tofu flavor, so it was delicious on its own and went beautifully with warm rice too. Personally, I rea~lly loved being able to have unlimited soft tofu like this! Haha

What comes with the Maetdolroman 2-person set meal

The Maetdolroman 2-person set meal was ₩13,000 per person. Considering restaurant prices these days, a meal with this many items at that price felt very generous. It wasn’t just one dish and done: from the banchan (Korean side dishes) to pan-fried tofu, tofu bossam, and tofu hot pot, it felt like a proper tableful of food. If you’re looking for a good meal near Yangcheon Hyanggyo that is filling as well as good value, a set like this seems like a great fit :)

From the side dishes to the pan-fried tofu

The basic side dishes were kimchi, anchovies, white kimchi, and danmuji (pickled yellow radish). They’re the essential kinds of side dishes you can’t leave out at a Korean restaurant, and they went nicely alongside the tofu dishes. The set also came with two pieces of pan-fried tofu. Enjoyed simply like a side dish, the nicely browned tofu was mild, nutty, and delicious.

Tofu bossam and dried radish samhap

The tofu, bossam (boiled pork slices), and mumaelleongi (seasoned dried radish strips) came together, and this samhap—three ingredients eaten as one bite—was really delicious. The silky tofu and mild bossam worked so well with the texture and seasoning of the dried radish, you know?~

And refreshing tofu hot pot

Finally, I can’t leave out the tofu hot pot that came with the set. The pot was full of silky tofu, and the broth was refreshingly clean, making it lovely for a warm meal. The tofu was so soft that it went down effortlessly with the broth, and with rice, it was truly filling. If you’re looking for a place to eat near Yangcheon Hyanggyo on a day when you want warm, satisfying Korean food rather than something strongly seasoned, I think this would be a good place to visit :)

Check the drink event too

I heard you can receive a drink by taking part in the event, so if you visit, it might be worth checking the event details before your meal 🙆♂️

Overall, Maetdolroman Deungchon Branch let us enjoy a generous variety of tofu dishes, and the soft tofu self-service bar made it even more satisfying! At ₩13,000 per person, the set includes pan-fried tofu, tofu bossam, and tofu hot pot, so it feels like the kind of place I’ll think of when I want a filling meal.